At this point in time, a DeAndre Hopkins trade is “doubtful” for the New England Patriots, according to a source.

That does line up with recent reporting from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer and runs somewhat counter to what former NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday.

"Doubtful" doesn’t mean out of the question, but it would be somewhat surprising if Hopkins was catching passes from Patriots quarterback Mac Jones next season.

So, who are the alternatives still out there for the Patriots to acquire as the second week of free agency winds down?

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was described by a source as a “more realistic” trade option than Hopkins, but “Denver is pricing him like they don't actually want to move him." So, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern on Jeudy, who’s been priced by Denver as a first-round pick.

“He's a good player but it's a lot,” a source said.

It’s unclear if anything will transpire between the Broncos and Patriots or any other team with Jeudy.

Jeudy, 23, is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and has a base salary of just $2.68 million in 2023. The Broncos have yet to decide if they will pick up Jeudy’s fifth-year option, which will cost $12.987 million in 2024. A team acquiring Jeudy would be getting him for two years and $15.7 million, which is a relative bargain for a wide receiver of his caliber. New England is paying free-agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster $8.5 million per year on a new three-year, $25.5 million deal. Jeudy is younger and caught 67 passes for 972 yards with six touchdowns last season, the most productive of his career since being the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jeudy has 157 catches for 2,295 yards with nine touchdowns in three seasons.

The Patriots did trade a first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in a similar circumstance when wide receiver Brandin Cooks was entering the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2017. Cooks was coming off of a 78-catch, 1,173-yard, eight-touchdown season and had 215 catches for 2,861 yards with 20 touchdowns in three seasons. It’s understandable why New England traded first- and third-round picks for Cooks and a fourth-round pick but might not be willing to go that high for a less productive player in Jeudy. Plus, the Patriots sent the 32nd overall pick to the Saints, and they currently own the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. And even still, the Patriots didn’t want to extend Cooks’ contract after the 2017 season, so they flipped him to the Los Angeles Rams along with a fourth-round pick for a first-round pick and a sixth-round pick.

The Patriots could still use their 14th overall pick on a wide receiver, as well. Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba appears to be the best fit, and New England was well-represented at his pro day this week. USC’s Jordan Addison, TCU’s Quentin Johnston and Boston College’s Zay Flowers are other potential first-round wideouts.

Finally, there are still decent wide receivers available in free agency. DJ Chark, Odell Beckham Jr., Chosen (formerly Robbie) Anderson, Marvin Jones and Richie James are among the top players still available on the open market. The Patriots attended Beckham’s recent workout for teams in Arizona, but a deal with New England is unlikely unless he turns into a significant value.

Ultimately, the Patriots don’t necessarily need to acquire another wide receiver, but it would help. Their pass-catching corps currently looks very similar to what Jones was targeting in 2022. Smith-Schuster has replaced Jakobi Meyers, Tight end Mike Gesicki has replaced Jonnu Smith, running back James Robinson has replaced Damien Harris and no one, thus far, has replaced Nelson Agholor. Hunter Henry, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Rhamondre Stevenson remain from last season. 

It will help to have a real offensive coordinator in Bill O’Brien this season, and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm should represent a boost, as well. But one more legitimate pass-catching threat would go a long way in ensuring Jones is set up for more success in his third season.

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